For those that practice the rhythm method

If you had this watch and its magic-like powers, would you use it for good or for evil? That’s a question you have to answer for yourself when presented with the opportunity to wear and use the OV-Watch. The watch measures salts in the wearer’s sweats to tell when she is most fertile.

Researchers in the late 50s and early 60s noted that numerous salts (chloride, sodium, potassium) in a woman’s sweat fluctuated in relation to the menstrual cycle. Chloride levels are low at the start of the menstrual cycle and peak three times during the cycle (see graph below). Using a patented biosensor, OV-Watch detects a baseline chloride ion level for each woman and then accurately predicts ovulation based on the timing of the first peak. The OV-Watch detects the chloride surge 3 days prior to the estrogen surge, 4 days prior to the LH surge and 5 days prior to ovulation, making it an earlier predictor of ovulation than any other chemical surge during the month. During the clinical trials for FDA approval with Dr. Arthur Haney at Duke University, approximately 3 out of 4 women received the full 5 day notice of ovulation while only 1 in 6 women were given more than 12 to 24 hours notice with urine tests or LH kits.

The developers seem to intend it as a way to take advantage of a female’s highest fertility levels, but I’m guessing it can be used to know when to avoid the most fertile times in the cycle, as well. (via boingboing)

I don’t actually think this would work in the negative. We’ve had to depend on years of “No!!!!” to avoid pregnancy. The two times I’ve had sex in the past 12 years with her, she’s gotten pregnant. I know the various birth control methods success rates – Rhythm is barely more reliable than prayer or “You won’t get pregnant if you stand up” are. 🙂

The watch is totally for couples looking to have a pregnancy. I was kidding about using it otherwise. And I can do that because no one would ever take medical advice from me, no matter how awesome I tell them I am.

Yeah, that’s pretty much what I meant. But most people don’t believe me when I tell them that I have actually had to go 7+ months without getting any. Further proof that marriage is a woman’s creation, not a man’s.